Homer High School teacher Francie Roberts has been appointed by Gov. Sean Parnell to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission, according to a Jan. 30 press release from the governor’s office. Roberts will serve a three-year term that expires March 1, 2016.

“(Roberts) consistently maintains a high level of professionalism and exemplifies personal integrity as a teacher,” said Dr. Allan Gee, principal of Homer High School. “(She is) a wise choice for appointment to the PTPC.”

Roberts and others appointed by the governor must now be confirmed by the Legislature.

The nine-member commission was established by the 1966 Professional Teaching Practices Act, which provides an avenue for policing ethics and improving standards and practices within the education profession. It consists of five classroom teachers, one principal, one superintendent, one representative from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development and one representative from higher education. All members are appointed by the governor.

The commission addresses matters of professional conduct and certification. It is responsible for and has the power to discipline members of the teaching profession, and may issue reprimands and suspensions and may revoke certificates of educators.

Roberts has been teaching for 19 years, all of them at Homer High School. The subjects she teaches are math, which includes calculus, geometry and advanced algebra, and natural resources. Roberts also has served as an adjunct professor for the Kenai Peninsula Community College.

“I worked for 18 years for the National Weather Service in Homer,” said Roberts. “I realized I had a talent for teaching and got my teaching certification. Teaching is my second career.”

Anyone who has taken the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Safety and Seamanship class has benefited from Roberts’ ability to combine those two careers.

In addition to teaching, Roberts also serves on the Homer City Council.

Other Kenai Peninsula individuals appointed by the governor were:

• Dr. Darin Bell of Seward to the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board;

• Craig Chapman of Soldotna, finance director for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, to the Alaska State Board of Public Accountancy;

• Grace Merkes of Sterling, former member of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, to the State Commission for Human Rights. Merkes was originally appointed in February 2003. This is her third reappointment.

“Board and commission service provides an opportunity for Alaskans to impact their government,” said Parnell. “I am proud of these individuals, from all regions of our state, who have answered the call to public service. These volunteers will use their experience, talents and vision to serve Alaska and Alaskans, and I am pleased to present their appointments to the Legislature for approval.”

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben. jackinsky@homernews.com.